Bermuda's squash players faced a stern test in terms of competition and climate yesterday.

For the Island's top players took on Canada and the altitude of Ecuador at the Pan American Championships. Bermuda have sent Tommy Sherratt, Nick Kyme, James Stout and Mel Caines to Quito for the event.

In the past few days they have been competing in the individual competition where they had mixed fortunes in terms of results but had performances to be proud of, according to Bermuda's director of squash Ross Triffitt.

Caines lost to J.Martinez from Guatemala (5-9, 2-9, 3-9); Stout lost to C.Schonenberg, the number two seed from El Salvador (7-9, 7-9, 9-4, 2-9) and Sherratt lost to R.Alarcon, Brazil's number one, (0-9, 0-9, 5-9).

Kyme, meanwhile, beat R.Delgado of Panama (9-1, 9-1, 9-0). However, in the second round he lost to B.Samper, Colombia's number one, (1-9, 2-9, 5-9).

Sherratt then defeated A.Kassab, the number one from Venezuela, in the consolation (9-6, 9-0); Caines lost to I.Aguirre of Peru (1-9, 1-9) and Stout defeated E.Novas of the Dominican Republic (9-0, 9-3).

In the second round Sherratt lost to T.Cabral of Brazil (0-9, 2-9) and Stout defeated R.Weisskopt of El Salvador (9-4, 10-8).

"Basically, the conditions have been very trying," said Triffitt. "We are competing at almost 14,000ft, however, the team has been doing quite well, particularly James in the consolation."

As the consolation had still not been concluded prior to the start of the team event Stout was pulled out so he could rest up.

There are 16 teams in the team event in four pools of four.

"We have been grouped with Canada, seeded number one in our pool, Guatemala seeded two and Venezuela seeded three," said Triffitt.

Bermuda need to be in the top nine to qualify for the Pan Am Games.